Dr. Alan Glazier Endows New scholarship for diversification of student body
Alan Glazier, OD, founder of the eye care industry’s largest and most highly engaged online eye care community, ODs on Facebook, is formally extending his community building to the scholastic world.
Recently appointed to the New England College of Optometry (NECO) Board of Trustees, Dr. Glazier has solidified his commitment to the College with an in-perpetuity scholarship endowment.
“As a second-generation Optometrist, a love for the profession is a deeply engrained part of my life and that of my family. Graduating from NECO provided the foundation for a fruitful and rewarding career. When I was named to the Board of Trustees, I decided this was a perfect opportunity to give back in a way that could attract more students to the optometry profession,” said Dr. Glazier.
The Glazier Family Scholarship will enable the College to diversify its student body as it is aligned with helping NECO reach its commitment to the 13% Promise initiative, a pledge led by Black Eyecare Perspective which asks for greater equity and Black representation in eye care companies, colleges of optometry and optometry boards of trustees. As an inclusive community builder, Dr. Glazier has previously supported other equality initiatives, but had always planned to make a larger commitment to under-represented communities.
“Alan is a great example of ‘you reap what you sow.’ His ongoing contributions to the optometry world – both online and off, his outstanding work ethic, and his entrepreneurship have been the basis of his success. Underlying it all is his admirable willingness to give back. By establishing this endowment, Alan has created a legacy of sharing that will have ongoing impact for years to come. In leading by example, he shows what true leadership means,” said Howard Purcell, OD, President and CEO at NECO.
A NECO alum (’93), Dr. Glazier was awarded the College President’s Medal in 2019. He is the founder of Shady Grove Eye and Vision Care, one of the largest private optometric practices in the Washington, DC suburbs. He is also a partner and business development executive in Keplr Vision. He is inventor on seven patents in computer science and ophthalmology, and published author. Dr. Glazier lectures nationally and internationally and serves on multiple advisory boards. His group, ODs on Facebook, has grown to include over 42,000 members and one of the most important resources in the field of Optometry.